Personal care market is expected to be fueled on account of growing demand for gender-specific products such as shampoos, conditioners, shaving creams and face masks and peels. In addition, escalating demand for products performing numerous functions such as toothpastes with whitening effect, moisturizers with sun protection and shower & bath products with fragrance therapy for relaxation, along with their traditional functions, is likely to contribute towards growth of the personal care market during the forecast period. However, shift in consumer preference towards chemical-free products due to increasing awareness regarding its ill-effects on health and skin is expected to be a key restraining factor for the market. Thus, rising demand for organic and herbal personal care products is expected to present the market with significant growth opportunities over the forecast period. Decreasing demand for mass-targeted health care products is being offset by increasing demand for specialized premium personal care solutions.

Personal care products may be classified on the basis of application such as hair care, skin care, oral care and cosmetics; and by type such as organic, inorganic and herbal. Personal care products include toothpaste, fragrances, mouthwashes, hair care and dyeing products, make-up products, and products for nail care, bathing and shaving. The personal care industry overlaps with a number of sectors including health care, chemical and petroleum due to the raw materials for manufacture of personal care products coming from these industries.

Major share of the personal care market was accounted by the U.S. in 2013 owing to high demand for premium personal care products. Europe followed the U.S. in personal care product consumption due to high sophistication and awareness for personal hygiene among consumers in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth in the personal care industry over the forecast period, owing to increasing consumer disposable income and growing awareness for personal hygiene in the region. Emerging economies such as Brazil and Mexico are predicted to have high growth potential due to the rise in disposable incomes and increased access to credit facilities in the region.

The personal care market is dominated by a few major players owing to brand recognition and loyalty. The key players in the market being Unilever, Procter & Gamble, L’Oréal, Colgate-Palmolive, Beiersdorf AG, GlaxoSmithKline, Avon, Amway, Clinique, Maybelline, Elle and Lakme. In addition, there are numerous small and medium scale manufacturers scattered across the globe which supply personal care products on a domestic level.